Grand Canyon Times

The Republican-led Arizona State Legislature has passed a $16.1 billion budget that prioritizes education freedom with a "dedication to civics education and future leadership development," said Majority Whip Sine Kerr. 

"Our commitment to the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and School Tuition Organizations remains steadfast, benefiting thousands of Arizona families seeking educational alternatives," Kerr said in a press release.

Arizona’s 2024-2025 budget reduces state spending by $1.7 billion compared to the previous year, marking a 10% decrease, and cuts ongoing expenditures by $330 million. 

Arizona Senate Republicans said in a press release that the budget prioritizes education, maintaining funding for school choice programs like Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and School Tuition Organizations, as well as safeguarding Arizona Freedom Schools. 

ESAs have been under attack by the administration of Gov. Katie Hobbs who has been called a “hypocrite” for her opposition to the state's school choice program despite having attended Catholic school herself. 

Hobbs has consistently opposed the ESA program in Arizona, which allows parents to redirect public education funds to various educational options including private schools and homeschooling. 

The budget garnered bipartisan support and received endorsement from Hobbs, despite facing criticism from fellow Democrats who questioned whether better terms could have been secured. 

The Arizona Daily Star highlighted these concerns, pointing out modest victories secured by Democrats such as increased housing funds and caps on corporate tax credits, while also expressing reservations about long-term impacts and compromises made during the budget negotiations.

The Associated Press reported that some Democrats publicly noted their disappointment about not being included in any budget negotiations. 

In addition to educational priorities, the budget allocates $5 million for local border security support and $4 million for fentanyl interdiction efforts, addressing ongoing challenges related to border policies and drug crises. 

Critics have recently scrutinized Arizona's spending on the "heat death" emergency, which fails to address underlying factors, such as how illegal immigration and rising addiction rates have worsened homelessness—the population most affected by heat-related deaths. 

Steve Cortes, President of the League of American Workers, told the Grand Canyon Times that the "extreme heat emergency" is, in fact, a result of "a massive homeless problem and a drug crisis" exacerbated by illegal immigration during the Biden Administration.

The budget is notably conservative in financial management, avoiding taps into the rainy-day fund, new taxes or additional debt. 

It includes a 3.5% reduction in all state agency funding, including a $23 million cut to universities, while maintaining law enforcement funding and enhancing efforts in public safety and border security.

Further provisions freeze board fees for two years, reduce vehicle emissions testing fees by 5%, and discontinue ongoing federal COVID programs funding. Investments in road infrastructure and staffing improvements for processing concealed carry permits are also prioritized, reflecting comprehensive reforms across state agencies.

Senate President Warren Petersen highlighted the budget's support for Arizona's working families. 

"We provided $274 million in tax rebates and banned tenant-paid rental taxes, easing financial burdens amidst inflation," Petersen said in a press release. 

Senator David Gowan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety & Border Security, said issues with concealed carry permits are being addressed in the budget as well. 

"We're addressing backlogs in concealed carry permits with new positions at the Department of Public Safety, prioritizing Arizona residents," Gowan stated.